Hey Guys,
Looking to go down to the mountain for a weekend (used to go once a year before covid) but the passes are bloody expensive - $150/day or $250/weekend-pass.
Are there any cheapies hacks or deals?
I know there are the early bird season passes but I only intend on going one or two weekends max a year so not worthwhile.
The contract between RAL and The Park Hotel has been off for about 10 years now. There is no staff accommodation there anymore.
Just be aware that Ruapehu is having its worst ski season in decades due to lack of snow and I think they have laid off many workers and basically closed Turoa side. Check out the Stuff article and look at webcams to see there is basically no snow unfortunately.
There's been some really mint days this season, but since last week's warm deluge it ain't looking pretty. All they needed was some cold temperatures, and that deluge would've meant a huge dump and best season ever. There's still a lot of hope that one big dump of snow can fix the current situation, but unfortunately this is what it is right now. Laying off workers means relieving the payroll so they won't go bankrupt. Both Whakapapa and Turoa are run as a charity - all profits stay on the mountain. Turoa will open again, just waiting for that snow.
Mid-week passes are cheaper. Sky Waka alone is $50 per ride, so mid-week pass is actually pretty competitive. They're reviewing their prices weekly depending on the amount of lifts open, so you end up paying for what you get. Skiing is not cheap.
Taking leave from work will be far more expensive than the savings from the mid-week pass haha would be perfect if I had more flexible work options.
Yes, for sure. It's also quieter during the week - for the same reason. They just announced (mt ruapehu facebook page) that this weekend they're keeping the weekday prices, but that's because it's limited terrain due to bad snow.
10 years or so ago I worked a season there. No ideal on ticket deals but the worker parties at the National Park Hotel (aka "The Ho") were epic.
Pro tip, if you are staying at The Park, they do lots of season accommodation for workers. If the tradition has been kept alive avoid the hot tubs there as wine box Wednesdays, where you cant leave the hot tub until your box was done, probably affects the water quality somewhat.
Ahh, memories.